Life-saving and salvaging apparatus for use with marine vessels



March 20, 1928.

- 5. A; MATHEWS LIFE SAVING AND SALVAGING APPARATUS FOR USE WITH mum: VBSSELS Filed Oct. 24. 1927 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 March 20, -1 928.

- B. A. MATHEWS LIFE SAVING AND SALVAGING APPARATUS FOR USE WITH MARINE VESSELIS Filed Oct. 24, 1927 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 Wm B. 04. Maflwws &. a

March 1928.

B. A. MATHEWS LIFE SAVING AND SALVAGING APPARATUS FOR USE WITH MARINE VESSELS 4 Sheeti heet 3 Filed Oct. 24 1927 Him I March 20; 1928,

f B. A. MATHEWS LIFE SAVING AND SALVAGJING APPARATUS FOR usz \m'n mum: vssssLs 4 Street s-Shut 4 Filed Oct. 24, 1927 Patented Mar. 20, 1928.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE;

BENJA IN ALEXANDER MATHEWS, or snm vnron'r, LOUISIANA.

LIFE-SAVING AND SALYAGING APFARA'IUS FOR USE WITH MARINEVESSELS.

Application filed October 24, 1927. .Serial No. 228,319.

My present invention relates to improven-ients in lire-saving and salvaging apparatus for use in marine vessels, and it is intended not only toprovide means for-locating the position of the sunken vessel after it rests on the bottom of the sea, and also means for mounted thereon, with the floats floating on the top of the water. 7

Figure 2 is aplan view of thepart of the ,apparatusthat is permanently attached to the ship, andwhich isuse dg, both in housing the l'loatand in providingholding means which maybe grappled fromthe surface of the water.

Figure 3 shows asectionaalong. the lin 3+3 of Figure 2, and shows the float in dotted lines.

Figure 4: shows a centralverticalse'ction through the float, parts being shown in velevation.

Figure o shows a 55 of Figure 4 andlooking down, parts being shown in elevation, and the wirecable being omitted from the reel.

Figure dis a detail View partly in section of one of the brackets and rollers used in suspending the cable drum, so as to permit the same to rotate aboutits transverse axis.

Figure 7 shows a section alongthe line 77 of Figure 6 and looking in the direction of the arrows. I

Figure 8 is a detail showing, in side elevation, the cable drum as detached from the apparatus; and

Figure 9 is an enlarged sectional view 7 showing the pivot on which the yoke carrying the cable drum is suspended.

Referring first to Figures 1 to 3, the vessel shown as submerged in Figure 1 is provided near the bow and stern with a skeletonvfrarne section along the line:

work A rigidly attached to the vessel in such a way that the grappling irons may be attachedjto it, and the vessel may be pulled up bodily from its position on the bed of the ocean, as -,will be hereinafter more fully-described. i a i This skeleton frame work comprises a number of beams preferably in the form of T-irons A which are l radially disposed about ahollow central hub B secured to the deck C ofthe ship. The outer ends'ofzthese beams project downward as shown in Figure 3, and; terminate in heavy boltsA which preferably pass down tot-he keel as shown 1nF1gurel, or are otherwise .SBCu BdtO the structural'parts of the ship so as to forma structure sufiiciently strong to permit the shipeto bepulled up bodilywhen the necessary lifting cables are attached to the structure.

The vertical portions ofthe beams A: are

preferablyattached to the flat ring D which i 'is secured to thedeck of the ship in any vconvenient way as by the bolts d. "The radial portions ofthe beams A' areperforatedto receive thehejavy wire cables E which are spaced apart asshown in Figures '2- and B and permitthe passage therethrough and the engagement therewith, of suitable grappling hooks or' irons, not shown. The radial portions of thesebeams A" and the float 'Fawhich mustbe of quite a large size .tossecure the necessary displacement of water'to permit the floatrto rise to. the surface with the load of material carriedtherethefcables E provide aqnest or housingfor by, which load will be hereinafter more fully explained. i

Details of the ,fioat and partsflcarried therebyareshown in Figures 4 to 9. Referring specially to Figures 4 and 5.]the float is provided. with ajcentral hollowfpor- ,tion lFflexterior to which is the main air chamber' F", and the outer cha mber F The walls oi" these air chambers are provided with braces G to render the same rigid against compressive strains; The top of the float is provided with a cylindrical chamber-H closed by suitable cover H, which cover may be provided with hand holesh closed by suitable caps h. l The bottomnof as the float rises.

cable is attached to the vessel in any conven' this chamber H may be braced with a suitable ring H in cross section in the form of an angle iron as shown in Figure 4:. This chamber 11 provides a space for storage of medical and other supplies, concentrated food, inflatable belts or the like, which may be gotten at after the float rises to the surface as shown in Figure 1. Passing-down through the supply chamber H is thehousing 1 for the spindle J, which spindle may carry at its free end an electric light or a flare or other signalling devices K, which not being a part of my present invention will not be described herein. The lower end of thevspindle J provided with a head J of ball bearings'L may be provided ifdesired,the object being to permit the yoke M to rotate freely on the spindle J. Journalled in this yoke M is the cable drum N, on which the light wire cable 0 is wound. This drum is mounted in the approximate center of the air chamber F which is open at the bottom 7", as shown in Figures 4- and 5, topermit the free passage of the cable 0 The lower end of this ient way as by means of the U-bolt 0 shown in Figures 2 and 3. To prevent the cable from unwinding too fast, the ends of the drum N are provided with brake plates or wings 7% shown in Figures 4: and 8 which will engage the water when it enters the chamber F while the float is rising.

In order to allow the drum to rotate around its transverse axis and at the same time to steady the same as the float rises, I provide a track and bracket arrangement whereby the weight of the yoke and drum,

and parts carried thereby, maybe taken on a series of circular tracks on which run rollers. Such an arrangement is shown in Fig ures l, 5, 6, and 7, where P and P represent brackets or arms attached to the yoke M and carrying near their ends rollers p.

The brackets P and P may be provided with turnbucklss 77 to adjust the attention 'o'f'same if desired. These rollers travel on circular tracks Q, Q and Q supported by bracket P shown most clearly in Figure 4-.

Thus, if the float itself rotates as it rises to" the surface, the downward strain on the on to same, or if desired these may serve as a ladder to permit any one to climb on top of the float and gain access to the chamber H for the purpose of securing the supplies contained therein.

The operation of the devices is as follows:

The skeleton frame A being mounted and securely attached to the body of the ship, and the floatbeing nested in the same with cable O wound up on the drum L and the end of said cable being attached to the U- bolt 0, suppose the vessel to sink.

As the vessel sinks, the float will be auto matically lifted off its seat, and the wire cable 0 will pay out until the float rises to the top.

While the float is still submerged or partly submerged, the water will flow into the bottom of the chamber f and compress the air in the central chamber F and the water will rise therein partly submerging the drum; and the wings N on the drum will churn the water, and serve as brakes to prevent the too rapid paying out of the cable. Any tendency for the float to swing around like a top would not affect the proper paying out of the cable, because the yoke carrying the cable drum will be held substantially steady while the float rotates about it.

Under certain conditions, persons may be saved by clinging to the hand grips R as the vessel sinks; but where the vessel sinks in deep water, such clinging would ordinarily be impossible; but at the same time when the vessel does reach bottom, the front will reston the surface of the water, and these hand grips will serve as safety devices for persons floating in water nearby who can swim to the float and hold on to these grips or can even climb on top of the float, moreover, the supplies in the chamber H may be readily availed of by the persons in need of medical treatment or food, or life belts can be held in same, 7

Obviously the float may carry a flare or electric light, which will be put in operation when the float rises, or the float, may carry abell, not shown to indicate its position in the dark.

Such details can he obviously supplied, but they are no part of my invention, and will notbe further described herein.

Zhave thus described the operation of the devices as a means for salvaging of the crew or passengers, and for locating the position of the sunken vessel. In order to use the arrangement for salvaging purposes, the cable will serve as a guide line to send down grappling hooks or other grappling devices carried by heavy cables, and these when lowered will be arrested somewhere within the skeleton frame from which the float has floated, and when these cables are pulled up, the grappled hooks will engage one or more of the stout cables E. It plurality of hooks and cables may be employed to engage each skeleton frame, and thus sevv eral hoisting, cables maybe, operated, at once by salvaging. vessels.

While I; haveshown in Figure ,1 two of -the sets otapparatus, one atthe bowand the other at the stern of the,-vessel,, it will be obvious that asingle apparatus may be used; but three ormore maybe used itdesired., It will also be obvious that the skeleton frame may be attached to the vesseLin 2 various ways, and that suchv an attachment ,would depend in large measure on the structural design of the vessel itself, so that I, .do not IIIGaILtO, limit the iliventlon. to: the precise construction of apparatus herein shown, and described; nordo I mean to limit the invention to other details ofconstruc- ;tio,n, except. as particularly pointed out in ,the claims. i

' Having thus described myinvention what 1 claiinand desire tosecure by Letters jPatent of theUn-ited States is:-'

.1. Apparatus of the character described tor usez with marine vessels, comprising ,a

skeleton frame securely attached to theyesm sel andprovided with a series of radially disposed, a upwardly i inclined beams forming a seat for the float, r witlncables,connecting said beams, and adapted to be grappled-by grappling, hooks, with a float normally resting in; said skeleton frame, but adapted to lioat upwardstherefrom should the vessel sink, a cable, drum ,jou 'nalled in said :float, ,a-nd a hne wlre cable wound on said drum,

andhavingone end secured to the'vessel,

. said drum.

for use withmarine vessels I a k l ton frame securely attached to the vesand the other end secured to said v drum.

-,2. Apparatusct' the character describedrior, use ,With marine vessels, comprising a skeleton frame securely attached to the vessel,'and p1;ovided withv a ,series of radially disposed,curved ,upwardly inclined beams forming a seat for the float, withcables connecting said beams, and adapted to be grappled by grappling hooks, with' apear shaped hollow float, normally resting in said skeleton frame, butadapted to float upwards t-here'fronishould the vessel sink, a cable drum journalled in the central air chamber jot said; float, a fine wire cable wound on said drum, and, having ,one end secured to' the ,vessel, and the other end ,secured to Apparatusot the character described i t e ne a on. 1 said; drum andi having one end secured t0 [the I vessel,- and the; other ,end, secured v to said drum, with means for braking said drum comprising wings projecting outwardly from the endsthereof, and to engage any water ris ng in sa d, central all chamber. j r

l. Apparatus .ot the, character described tor use with ,marme' vessels, comprising a skeleton trame securely attached-to thev vessel, and provided with a series ot' radially disposed, upwardly inclined curved beams forminga seat for the float, with connecting said beams, J and adapted to ,be grappled by grappling hooks, with a ;fiQat normally resting in said skeleton frama but adapted-to float upwards therefrom should t ve e rs n a widfion b in Provide with acentral air chamber open at the bottom, a cable drum journalled in the central air chamber of said float,and,,a fine wire able wound on said drum, and: having one ,end secured to the vessel, andftheother end secured to, said drum, ,with means tor brakuse with 1 marine vessels, comprising skelea ton ,frame securely attached to the vessel,

and provided with a series of radially dis-r ,posed, upwardly inclined beams, forming a seat for thefloat, with cables connecting said beams, and adapted to begrappled by grappling hooks, with a ,fioat normally restingin said skeleton frame, but adapted to' float upwards therefrom should the vessel sink, said float beingprovidedwith a central .air chamberfopenat the bottom, and with buoyancy chambers exterior tosaid central chamber, a cable drum journalled in the central air chamberotwsaid float, and a fine wire cable wound onwsaid drum, and

having one end secured to thevessel, and the other end secured to, said drum, with means for braking said drum comprising, wings projecting outwardly l rom theends thereof, and adapted to engage any water rising in said central airchamber. V I

6. Apparatus of the character described ing said drum to prevent too rapid paying outof said cable. a i 1 .5. Apparatus oftheeharacter describedgi'or loo for, use with marine vessels comprising-a skeleton frame securely attached to the yes sel, and provided with iradial curved in =c1ined beams forminga cup shaped seat) for the float, a pear shaped hollow float normallyresting'iu said seat, said float being ,provided with a central air chamber open at the bottom, and buoyancy chambers exterior to said central chamber, and withan upper supply chamber, a yoke swivelled in said central air chamber, a drum journalle d in said yoke, and, a wirecable wound-on said drum-and having its outer-end secured to the ,vessel.

7. Apparatus, of the character described for use with marine vessels comprising a skeleton frame securely attached to the vessel, and provided with radial curved inclined beams forming a cup shaped seat for the float, a pear shaped hollow float normally resting in said seat, said float being provided with a central air chamber open at the bottom, and buoyancy chambers exterior to said central chamber, and with an upper supply chamber, a yoke swivelled in said central air chamber, a drum journalled in said yoke, and a wire cable wound on said drum and having its outer end secured to the vessel with means for braking said drum to prevent the too rapid paying out of said cable.

8. Apparatus of the character described for use with marine vessels, comprising a skeleton frame securelyattached to the vessel, and provided with radial curved inclined beams forming a cup shaped seat for the float, a pear shaped hollow float nor' mally resting in said seat, said float being provided with a central air chamber open at the bottom, and buoyancy chambers exterior to said central chamber, and with-an upper supply chamber, a yoke swivelled in said central air chamber, circular tracks mounted in said central air chamber, brackets secured to said yoke, and having rollers travelling in said tracks, a drum journallet in said yoke, and a wire cable wound on said drum and having its outer end secured to the vessel;

9. Apparatus of the character described for use with marine vessels, comprising a skeleton frame securely attached to the vessel, and provided with radial curved inclined beams forming a cup shaped seat for the float, a pear shaped hollow float normally resting in said seat, said float being provided with a central air chamber open at the bottom, and buoyancy chambers exterior to said central chamber, and with an upper supply chamber, with hand grips secured on the exterior of the upper portion of said float, a drum journalled in said air chamber, and-a wire cable wound on said drum and having its outer end secured to the vessel.

'10. Apparatus of the character described for use with marine vessels, comprising a skeleton frame securely attached to the vessel, and provided with radial curved inclined beamsforming a cup shaped seat for the float, a'pear shaped hollow float normally resting in said seat, said float being provided with a central air chamber open at the bottom, and buoyancy chambers e2:- terior to said central chamber, and with an upper supply chamber, hand grips secured on the exterior of the upper portion of said float, a yoke swivelle'd in said central air chamber, a drum journalled in said yoke, and a wire cable wound on said drum and having its outer end secured to the vessel.

11. In apparatus of the character described for use with marine vessels, afloat normally carried by the vessel, but adapted to float upwards therefrom should the vessel sink, said float being provided with a centrail air-chamber open at the bottom, and with buoyancy'chambers exterior to said central chamber, a cable drum journalled in the central airchamber of said float, and a fine wire cable wound on said drum, and having oneend secured to the vessel, and the other end secured to said drum.

12. In apparatus of the character described for use with marine vessels, a float normally carried by the vessel but adapted to float upwards therefrom should the vessel'sink, said float being provided with a central air chamber open at the bottom, and with buoyancy chambers exterior to said central chamber, a cable drum journalled in the cent 'al air chamber of said float, and a flne wire cable wound on said drum, and having one end secured to the vessel, and the other end secured to said drum, with means for braking said drum comprising wings ecting outwardly from the ends thereof, and adapted to engage any water rising in said central air chamber.

13. In apparatus of the character described for use with marine vessels, a hollow float normally carried by the vessel, said fioatbeing provided with a central air chamber open at the bottom, and buoyancy chambers exterior to said central chamber, and

with an upper supply chamber, a yoke swivelled in said central air chamber, a drum journalled in said yoke, and a wire cable wound on said drum and having its outer end secured to the vessel with means for braking said drum to prevent the too rapid paying out of said cable.

1a. In apparatus of the character described for use with marine vessels, a hollow float normally carried by the vessel, said float being provided with a central air chamberopen at the bottom, and buoyancy chambers exterior to said central chamber, and with an upper supply chamber, a yoke swivelled in said central air chamber, circular tracks mounted in said central air chamber,

brackets secured to said yoke, and having rollers travelling n said tracks, a drum ournalled in said yoke, and a wire cable wound on said drum and having its outer end secured to the vessel. 7

15. In. apparatus of the character described for use with marine vessels, a hollow float normally carried by the vessel, said float being provided with a central air chamber open at the bottom, and buoyancy chambers exterior to said central chamber, and with an upper supply chamber, with hand grips secured on the exterior of the upper portion of said float, a drum journalled in said air chamber, and a wire cable wound bers exterior to said central chamber, and on said drum and having its outer end sewith an upper supply chamber, hand grips l cured to the vessel. secured on the exterior of the upper portion 16. In apparatus of the character deof said float, a yoke swivelled in said central 5 scribed for use with marine vessels, aholair chamber, a drum journalled in said yoke, 10W float normally carried by the vessel, said and a wire cable Wound on said drum and float being provided with a central air chamhavin%its outer end secured to the vessel. her open at the bottom, and buoyancy cham- EN ALEXANDER MATHEWS. 

